Chub Bash Turkmen Rug

Late 19th century

Size 198 x 174 cm, 

Central Asia, Middle Amu Darya Valley

 

This absolutely beautiful Turkmen rug was woven by the Chub Bash tribe in Turkestan at the end of the 19th Century about 1890. Little is known about the Chub Bash tribe, however they are believed to be one of the sub-tribes of the Ersari Turkmen. They lived in Turkmenistan, but it is thought that with the start of the soviet era they separated and fled to different areas including the Afghanistan Uzbekistan border around 1917.

 

The weaver has used bright natural dyes and hand-spun wool to weave a rug featuring a variant of the Tauk Noska Gul, but has cleverly woven in variations to these Guls from the top to bottom of the rug. The small designs and motifs used between the main Guls also changes from top to bottom which gives the rug has a feeling of movement and life.

The main field in deep red features desirable Abrash, small variations in the dye color which indicates the rug’s age and the use of natural dyes. The rug is surrounded by simple borders of diamonds and triangles in red, azue blue, ivory and yellow. The choice of border gives a feeling of lightheartedness and joy to a very traditional design.

 

The pile is in excellent condition for it’s age and has it’s original selvedges intact. There are some smaller repairs that are not really noticeable. In excellent overall condition.